Flexible stand-up package, and methods of dispensing

ABSTRACT

A flexible storage package defined by a body having a first part, a second part, and a third, base part. At least one and preferably both of the first part and the second part have an interior volume for receiving and dispensing a product. Each of the first part and the second part is movable, in relation to the third part, from a first position to a second position. The first position can also be referred to as a “display” or “standing” position. The second position can also be referred to as a “use” position. When both of the parts are in the first position, the package has a generally triangular or tent-like configuration. The third part forms the base of the triangle or tent. When both of the parts are in the second position, the package has a generally flat or planar configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication having Ser. No. 60/804,044 filed Jun. 6, 2006 entitledFlexible Stand-Up Package, and Methods of Dispensing, the entiredisclosure which is incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to flexible polymeric packages,particularly for storing and dispensing items, and methods of using.

BACKGROUND

Various types of packaging are known. Examples include flexible paperbags, flexible plastic bags (which may be resealable and reclosable),cardboard or paperboard boxes and other shaped containers, and rigidplastic containers.

Storage of these packaging materials can be an issue. For example,flexible plastic packages (e.g., bags) are available in different sizesof paperboard boxes, based on the package size.

Rigid paperboard boxes have their disadvantages. At times, it isdifficult to neatly and efficiently arrange the boxes for storagebecause of their different sizes. Each box contains one size and type ofplastic bag; this typically packaging configuration requires multipleboxes if more than one size and type of bag is desired. These boxes arenot the most convenient to take along, because they can easily becrushed and deformed if pushed against other items.

Alternate options are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a storage package movable from afirst position to a second position; the first position can be a displayposition and the second position can be a use position. The body of thepackage is generally flexible, having three generally planar parts. Thefirst part and the second part are movable, in relation to the thirdpart, from a first position to a second position.

In one particular aspect, this disclosure is to a flexible packagecomprising a body having a first part, a second part and a third part,the first part hingedly connected to the third part, and the second parthingedly connected to the third part. At least one of the first part andthe second part has an internal volume for receiving an item therein.Any or all of the three parts may be made from flexible plasticmaterial, either one or two sheets.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a flexible storagepackage having a body comprising three parts, the package moveable froma first position to a second position. In the first position, the threeparts are connected to form a three-sided configuration, whereas in thesecond position, the three parts are generally planar.

To facilitate the repositioning, a first part is hingedly connected to athird part, and a second part is hingedly connected to the third part.

The packages, generally at least one of the first part and the secondpart have an internal volume for receiving an item therein anddispensing the item therefrom.

A packaged product is also disclosed, the product comprising a flexiblepackage with a body having a first part, a second part and a third part,with the first part hingedly connected to the third part, and the secondpart hingedly connected to the third part. At least one of the firstpart and the second part has an internal volume for receiving itemstherein. The packaged product also includes a plurality of items withinthe internal volume.

This disclosure also is to a method of dispensing an item, the methodincluding providing a storage package in a first position, the packagehaving a first part, a second part connected to the first part, and athird part hingedly connected to the first part and to the second part;breaking the connection between the first part and the second part; andafter breaking the connection, moving the package from the first portionto a second position. From there, the item can be removed.

Various other details and methods for using the package are described.

These and various other features which characterize the package of thisdisclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims.For a better understanding of the packages of the disclosure, theiradvantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, referenceshould be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, inwhich there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of theinvention of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible storage package according tothe present disclosure, in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage package of FIG. 1 in processof having a portion of the package removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage package of FIG. 1 a firstpart of the package oriented in a second position, and a second part ofthe package depicted being moved from the first position to the secondposition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage package of FIG. 1 in thesecond position, with a user removing an item from the storage package;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the storage package of FIG. 5A in acompressed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the storage package of FIG. 1 in thesecond position, with a portion of the package removed;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to packaging arrangements,particularly, to plastic storage packages for retaining and dispensingan item therefrom. It is understood that features or elements describedin one of the package views carry over to other views, even though notexplicitly illustrated or pointed out.

Generally, the packages of the present invention have a body having afirst part, a second part, and a third, base part. At least one andpreferably both of the first part and the second part have an interiorvolume for receiving a product therein. The first and/or second partincludes an access for dispensing or otherwise obtaining the producttherefrom.

The body of the package is generally flexible. In addition, each of thefirst part and the second part is movable, in relation to the thirdpart, from a first position to a second position. The first position canalso be referred to as a “display” or “standing” position. The secondposition can also be referred to as a “use” position. When both of theparts are in the first position, the package has a generally triangularor tent-like configuration. The third part forms the base of thetriangle or tent. When both of the parts are in the second position, thepackage has a generally flat or planar configuration.

Referring now to the figures, a package according to the presentdisclosure is illustrated in each of the figures. Referring to FIG. 1, apackage 10 according to the present disclosure is illustrated in adisplay configuration. Package 10 can be set-up as a ‘table tent’ or‘bill board’, to advertise the items therein.

Package 10 has a first end edge 12 and a second opposite end edge 14 anda top edge 15. Package 10 has first part 20, second part 30, and thirdpart 40, in this embodiment, each part 20, 30, 40 having a generallyrectangular configuration. First part 20 has its first end edge 12A andits second end edge 14A, second part 30 has its first end edge 12B andits second end edge 14B, and third part 40 has its first end edge 12C(see FIG. 3) and its second end edge 14C. At least first part 20 andsecond part 30 have an interior volume for retaining items therein, aswill be described below.

In this display configuration, package 10 is in a tent-likeconfiguration, where first part 20 and second part 30 form sloped wallsand third part 40 forms the base of the tent-like configuration. Firstpart 20 is hingedly connected to third part 40 at line 24, and secondpart 30 is hingedly connected to third part 40 at line 34. Lines 24, 34may be fold lines or seams between first part 20 and third part 40 andsecond part 30 and third part 40, respectively, as will be explainedbelow.

First part 20 and second part 30 meet opposite third part 40 and formheader portion 50, which includes top edge 15. First part 20 and secondpart 20 are, in most embodiments, sealed to each other at header 50.Header portion 50 includes an area of weakness 55 which facilitatesremoval of a portion of header 50. Area of weakness 55 may be aperforation, score line, string or other embedded and removable strip,or the like.

In this first position, package 10 is configured for display. Any or allparts 20, 30, 40 may have indicia such as graphics or text, to identifythe contents within package 10. Any portion having indicia thereon maybe removable from part 20, 30, 40; for example, indicia may be presenton a printed sheet that can be placed behind a cover sheet on part 20,30, 40. Additionally or alternately, any or all parts 20, 30, 40 couldbe configured for marking by the user, such as with a pen or pencil, foridentification of the contents.

To convert package 10 from the first or display position of FIG. 1 to asecond position, the connection between first part 20 and second part 30is broken, and first part 20 is separated from second part 30.

In FIG. 2, a user is illustrated removing portion 53 from header 50 atarea of weakness 55. It is in this portion 53 where first part 20 andsecond part 40 are connected, for example by a heat seal or adhesivepresent between parts 20, 30. By removing portion 53, first part 20 isdisconnected from second part 30, so that package 10 can convert to asecond, use or dispensing configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, first part 20 is illustrated moving from its first position(in phantom) to its second position, generally planar with third part40, by pivoting along line 24. Second part 30 is illustrated alreadypivoted along line 34 and flopped down, generally planar with third part40. In this configuration, with parts 20, 30 generally planar to thirdpart 40, items stored within package 10 can be readily retrieved.

See FIG. 4, where item 100 is being removed from an interior volume offirst part 20 via an aperture 60, which may be a slot or slit. In theillustrated embodiment, item 100 is a flexible bag, such as a sandwichbag. In some embodiments, part 20 includes indicia to identify item 100that is stored within.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, package 10 is illustrated in twovariations of the first position. In FIG. 5A, package 10 is asillustrated in FIG. 1, in a tent-like configuration, for example,propped up to advertise its contents. Header 50 is intact, with firstpart 20 connected to second part 30. In FIG. 5B, package 10 has header50 intact, with first part 20 connected to second part 30, but package10 is illustrated in a compressed or storage position. From thetent-like configuration of FIG. 5A, third part 40 is folded along itscentral fold 45 and the angle at folds 24, 34 is decreased bringingfirst part 20 closer to second part 30. As package 10 is folded andfirst part 20 and second part 30 near each other, an inward gusset 140(FIG. 5B) is formed. The resulting configuration does not readily standon base part 40, as did the package in FIG. 5A, but can now be readilystacked and stored, or, displayed in a hanging manner via hole 56 inheader 50.

Package 10, in most embodiments, is made from plastic sheet material(film) that is generally flexible. The resulting parts 20, 30, 40 can bedescribed as generally being flexible, as can the overall package 10.The plastic is typically thermoplastic, and examples of suitable plasticmaterials include polyethylene and polypropylene. The film material maybe a laminate or coextrusion of one or more materials, such as plastic,foil, or paper. Voided or microporous films have good printingcharacteristics.

Each part 20, 30, 40 may be made separately, and then joined together atline 24 (which would then be a seam), line 34 (which would then be aseam), and header 50, or, parts 20, 30, 40 may be made as a singlepiece, with the two ends joined together to form header 50. In thisconstruction, lines 24 and 34 would be fold lines.

To facilitate storing of items in package 10, such as item 100, any orall of parts 20, 30, 40 may have an interior volume or pocket formed bytwo sheets of material joined on four edges, thus forming a generallyplanar body, having a thickness, for receipt of items therein. See, forexample, FIG. 4, which shows part 20 having an interior panel 21, anopposite exterior panel 22 (also seen in FIG. 5A), and four side edges20A, 20B, 20C, 20D wherein panels 21, 22 meet. In this embodiment, eachof side edges 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is sealed. At least one of panels 21,22 is flexible. Panels 21, 22 provide an interior volume for storingitems therein, such as item 100. In many embodiments, part 30 has asimilar construction, with an interior volume for storing items therein.Access is gained to the interior volume via aperture 60, which can alsobe used for dispensing an item, such as item 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, third part 40 also has an interior volumeor pocket, configured to receive a stiffener 70, as illustrated in FIG.6. Third part 40 having an interior panel 41, an opposite exterior panel42 and four side edges 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D wherein panels 41, 42 meet. Atleast one of panels 41, 42 is flexible. In this embodiment, side edge40C defines a mount 43, providing access to interior volume 44.Stiffener 70 can be present in interior volume 44 to increase rigidityto package 10 when in the tent-like configuration. Stiffener 70 may beshaped and sized to fill interior volume 44. Suitable materials forstiffener 70 include cardboard, paperboard, pressboard, and similarcellulose products, and non-flexible polymeric materials.

In many instances, packages 10 of the present disclosure are filled withitems or product upstream of the consumer market. That is, product oritems are packaged in the packages at a location such as a manufacturingplant and then offered for sale to the consumer. The packages may befilled at the same location where they are assembled or manufactured,or, may be assembled at a first location and shipped to a secondlocation for filling.

Package 10 is suitable for packaging items that are flexible andgenerally planar in nature, items such as bags, facial tissues,pre-moistened hand wipes, cleaning and/or anti-bacterial wipes, andother sheet goods. For packages having two or three pockets for items,the pockets could retain different items.

In use, the package user, e.g., the consumer, would remove headerportion 53 via area of weakness 55, thus releasing first part 20 fromsecond part 30 and exposing dispensing element 60. The user would removethe desired item from the interior volume of the package, generally fromeither part 20 or part 30. After removing the desired item, the packagecan be refolded, for example, along line 24 or 34. Dispensing element 60may simply be a slit within the sheet material that forms part 20, 30(for example inner panel 21 of part 20), include a resealable adhesivetab, or, dispensing element 60 could include a reclosable zipper withmating closure profiles that could be sealed and opened with a sliderdevice.

The above specification is believed to provide a complete description ofthe manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. Itis understood that various other configurations of packages aresuitable. It is understood by those skilled in the art that packages maybe made by generally any suitable process, not just those describedherein. Various other methods of making packages according to thepresent invention are suitable.

Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit ofthe invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafterappended.

1. A flexible package comprising: (a) a body having a first part, asecond part and a third part, the first part hingedly connected to thethird part, the second part hingedly connected to the third part, andthe first part connected to the second part at a removable headerportion; and (b) at least one of the first part and the second parthaving an internal volume for receiving an item therein.
 2. The packageof claim 1, wherein each of the first part, the second part and thethird part comprises two sheets of plastic material, with the internalvolume of the at least one of the first part and the second part definedby the two sheets of plastic material.
 3. The package of claim 2,wherein the at least one of the first part and the second part havingthe internal volume defines an aperture for accessing the internalvolume.
 4. The package of claim 2, wherein both the first part and thesecond part have an internal volume for receiving an item therein. 5.The package of claim 4, wherein both the first part and the second partdefine an aperture for accessing the internal volume.
 6. The package ofclaim 5 comprising a first item in the internal volume of the first partand a second item in the internal volume of the second part.
 7. Thepackage of claim 6 wherein the first item or the second item is one of afacial tissue, a plastic bag, a pre-moistened wipe, or an anti-bacterialwipe.
 8. The package of claim 5 wherein the first item and the seconditem are different.
 9. The package of claim 1 wherein the third partincludes a stiffening member.
 10. The package of claim 9 wherein thethird part comprises a pocket and the stiffening member is presentwithin the pocket.
 11. A flexible storage package having a bodycomprising three parts, a first part hingedly connected to a third part,and a second part hingedly connected to the third part, with at leastone of the three parts having an internal volume for receiving an itemtherein, the package moveable from a first position to a secondposition: (a) the first position having the first part and the secondpart connected at a header to form a triangular configuration; and (b)the second position having the header removed and the three partsgenerally planar.
 12. The package of claim 11, wherein the head portionincludes an area of weakness.
 13. The package of claim 12, wherein thearea of weakness is a tear strip.
 14. The package of claim 11, furthercomprising a hang hole through the header.
 15. The package of claim 11,wherein with in the second position, the third part is positionedbetween the first part and the second part.
 16. The package of claim 11,wherein each of the three parts comprises flexible plastic material. 17.The package of claim 11, wherein each of the three parts comprises twosheets of plastic material.
 18. The package of claim 11, wherein thefirst part has an internal volume for receiving an item therein.
 19. Thepackage of claim 11, wherein the first part and the second part have aninternal volume for receiving an item therein.
 20. The package of claim19 wherein the item is one of a facial tissue, a plastic bag, apre-moistened wipe, or an anti-bacterial wipe.
 21. The package of claim11 comprising a stiffening member present in one of the three parts. 22.A method of dispensing an item comprising: (a) providing a storagepackage in a first position, the package having a first part, a secondpart connected to the first part, and a third part hingedly connected tothe first part and to the second part; (b) breaking the connectionbetween the first part and the second part; (c) after breaking theconnection, moving the package from the first position to a secondposition; and (d) removing an item from one of the first part and thesecond part.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of moving thepackage from the first position to the second position comprises: (a)moving the package from a display position to a dispensing position. 24.The method of claim 22 wherein the step of moving the package from thedisplay position to the dispensing position comprises: (a) moving thepackage from a triangular position to a planar position.